Gillibrand, Schumer Announce $150,000 in Federal Funding for Town of North Hempstead for an Environmental Study to Clean Up and Revitalize New Cassel Brownfield Properties

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $150,000 in federal funding for the Town of North Hempstead. The funding was provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Program. With this funding, the Town of North Hempstead will conduct an environmental investigation of vacant, abandoned, and underutilized brownfield sites in New Cassel to help plan the cleanup and encourage the redevelopment of these sites.

"These federal funds will help North Hempstead to clean up brownfield properties in New Cassel, which has the double benefit of eliminating pollution and putting these parcels of land back into use for economic development. This is a wise investment in the redevelopment of our communities that will help spur job creation and economic growth for years to come," said Senator Schumer. "I am proud to announce this vital funding and will continue to fight for communities, like New Cassel, adversely affected by pollution."

"With this funding, the Town of North Hempstead will be able to assess the environmental contamination at Brownfield sites in New Cassel and clean them up," said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "These sites have great potential to benefit the community, and rather than turning our backs on them, this project will help revitalize them into new and vibrant spaces. I was proud to fight for this funding and I will continue to support funding for environmental and redevelopment projects that will benefit New Yorkers for generations to come."

Brownfield sites are properties that may contain hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. The Town of North Hempstead has been actively facilitating the redevelopment and revitalization of New Cassel for over a decade. Earlier this year, Gillibrand wrote to the Environmental Protection Agency to support the Town's request for funding.

I write in support of the application submitted by The Town of North Hempstead for funding from the Brownfields Assessment Grant Program through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Funding will be used to clean up a brownfield within the Hamlet of New Cassel, New York.

The Town of North Hempstead occupies 58 square miles and has over 222,000 residents. It is home to many famous historic landmarks and buildings on Long Island, such as the famous Shelter Rock. The Town of North Hempstead has been actively facilitating the redevelopment and revitalization of New Cassel for over a decade. With this effort, the Town has launched a Brownfields and Community Revitalization effort to return blighted areas into vibrant, productive use in order to create new opportunities to the area.

The requested funding will be used to conduct further environmental investigations, as well as for cleanup and reuse planning at targeted brownfield sites in New Cassel. The Town aims to attract developers to the area who can fulfill the community's vision for improving public safety, enhancing community facilities, establishing new parks and recreation, and creating a more attractive, walkable, and livable New Cassel. Funding will help to advance over a decade of coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local officials to overcome environmental and social challenges in New Cassel to create new economic opportunities for the region.

I ask that you please give this application your full consideration. If you have any questions, or desire further information, please do not hesitate to contact my staff member, Laura Driscoll, at (202)224-4451.